Arlis Wins Battle And Montini Wins War Over Providence

The Broncos` running back scored what proved to be the winning touchdown Wednesday as Montini upended Providence 14-8 in New Lenox in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

The victory avenged Montini`s 13-12 loss to Providence in the second game of the regular season and improved the Broncos` record to 8-2. Providence, the Private School League champion, finished 8-2.

Arlis (102 yards on 20 carries) outdueled Providence running back Rick Labiak, the leading ground gainer in the Chicago area. Labiak had piled up 1,680 yards (a 185-yard-per-game average) and scored 24 touchdowns through the first 9 games. Wednesday he was held to 66 yards on 21 carries and failed to score; in the two team`s first meeting Labiak scored two touchdowns and Arlis scored two.

Bill Townsend ran 10 yards with a fumble recovery in the third quarter and Arlis bulled across from the 2 early in the fourth period to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead. Providence scored with 14 seconds to play on a 6-yard pass from Rich Kostelz to Jeff Jenco.

Richards 26, Tinley Park 14--Tinley Park (6-4), the SICA Central champion, took a 14-12 advantage into the last four minutes of the game on Ron Teichman`s two 1-yard runs, but SICA North champion Richards (9-1) rallied behind Rob Pratl`s 39-yard TD pass to Mike Tamms and Mike Chronos` 5-yard TD run. Pratl (14 of 25 for 180 yards) also hit Sean Wiggins with a 5-yard TD pass and Bill Downey with a 20-yarder.

Leo 44, Harper 12--The winners (7-3) built up a 44-0 lead after three quarters and coasted home as Rodney Dunning ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback George Sperekas passed for a touchdown and scored one for Leo. Harper is 5-5.